London, October 28, 2011 (SPS) - The annual meeting between the SADR and the oil and gas companies which have signed agreements with the Saharawi government took place this year in London on 28 October 2011.
The meeting was an occasion to review the relationship between the Saharawi Republic and the companies as well as to assess the latest developments of the issue of Western Sahara.
The Saharawi delegation included Mr. Emhamed Khadad, member of the Saharawi leadership and Mr. Kamal Fadel, Polisario Representative to Australia.
The companies reaffirmed their commitment to continue to work with the SADR (Saharawi Republic) for the exploration of Saharawi natural resources.
The involvement of the oil companies in the Saharawi republic stems from their conviction of the justice of the Saharawi cause and their conviction that the Saharawi republic will regain its full sovereignty over its national territory. The oil companies are also encouraged by the potential of the Saharawi territory in oil and gas.
The Saharawi republic embarked in 2005 on a strategy to prepare for the future in order to build a prosper, stable and viable state so that the Saharawi people can benefit of their natural resources in their fully independent state.
The SADR government announced the commencement of an Oil and Gas licensing round on 17 May 2005. The licensing initiative was arranged in accordance with industry standards and the principles of international law, including general UN guidelines and, in particular, with the specific UN legal opinion regarding commercial activities in Western Sahara ( 12 February 2002).
Following a competitive bidding round and subsequent discussions with successful applicants, the Government of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (‘SADR’) formally announced on 23 March 2006 that it has entered into 9 separate agreements with international oil and gas companies to participate in the exploration of its sovereign territory. (SPS)
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